The Kitchen Renovation: Part 4 -- The Professionals

So, we've planned, purchased, and prepped, and now it's time to bring in the professionals. Specifically, we needed a plumber and floor restoration specialist before we could install our cabinets.

In our last post, I mentioned that we had one more intense project lined up for the kitchen renovation: our floors. When we pulled up the linoleum, we were lucky enough to discover the original flooring. We had a floor restoration specialist come out to assess its condition and determine if it was possible for him to restore the floors. He took one look at them and said, "Oof. That is not worth my time or your money." Basically, the glue from the linoleum does not sand off nicely. It becomes tacky, gunks up the sanding pad, and overall is just way too much work. That was... disheartening... to say the least. And we had to come up with a solution fast.

Austin working hard to scrape the linoleum glue off of the floor!

After extensive research, we determined that we could use the KleanStrip Green Floor Adhesive Remover to eliminate the linoleum glue. We checked with our floor guy to confirm that if we put in this work, he would be able to refinish the floors. He was unsure but said that it could work. So, fingers crossed, we got to work. My mom came up to help us, and over a full weekend, we were able to fully remove the linoleum glue from our hardwoods.

We applied the KleanStrip generously, covered it with cling wrap, allowed it to sit, and returned a few hours later to scrape it all up. It was a messy process that demanded a considerable amount of elbow grease, but eventually, we successfully removed all the linoleum glue.

With bated breath, we awaited the return of the flooring expert. To our delight, he was impressed by how effectively the glue had been removed! We were promptly added to his schedule, and the floors underwent a stunning restoration. Only two rounds of sanding were needed, preserving the integrity of the tongue and groove. For the stain color, we opted for "English Chestnut" – a mid-saturation brown with a subtle red undertone. Our aim was to closely match the wood in our dining room, presuming it to be the original stain color. It does match very nicely!

After 1 pass of the sander

After the 2nd pass

After staining

Another crucial professional we brought on board for this project was the plumber. Given the relocation of the sink, installation of a dishwasher, and the desire for a fridge with an ice maker, significant plumbing changes were inevitable. After gathering multiple quotes, we identified a plumber who not only grasped our vision but also aligned with our timeline and budget. Juggling his busy schedule, the plumber made multiple visits to accommodate our needs, ensuring that all plumbing aspects were successfully addressed. A valuable tip for anyone engaging a contractor requiring a permit is to initiate the process early. Coordinating between the contractor and the inspector can be challenging and stressful, especially with a tight timeline.

Prior to cabinet installation, we focused on completing the rough-in plumbing. The plumber returned after cabinet installation to finalize the setup, installing the sink, dishwasher, and water line for the fridge. This sequential approach allowed for a more organized and efficient workflow.